Valve stem installation system and method of installing valve stem

ABSTRACT

A valve stem installation system includes a robotic arm for moving a valve stem insertion device around the lip of wheel. The system also includes a pair of valve stem aperture sensors positioned on the robotic arm adjacent the valve stem insertion device and moveable around the lip of the wheel. The sensors can be positioned on opposite sides of the valve stem insertion device. When the first sensor locates the valve stem aperture, movement of the robotic arm can be slowed. When the second sensor locates the valve stem aperture, movement of the robotic arm can be stopped. The conveyor unit can include an identification station to sense the configuration of the wheel. A controller can select the appropriate valve stem to insert in the valve stem aperture in response to the sensed configuration of the wheel.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the provisional patent application 60/453,262 for a VALVE STEM INSTALLATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF INSTALLING VALVE STEM, filed on Mar. 10, 2003, and claims the benefit of the provisional patent application 60/460,153 for a TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING VALVE STEM INSTALLATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF INSTALLING TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING VALVE STEM, filed Apr. 3, 2003, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The subject invention relates to the assembly of wheels, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for locating a valve stem aperture in a wheel and mounting the valve stem to the wheel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the past, a valve stem was manually mounted to a wheel with a stem-inserting tool. Such manual processes are expensive because of the labor and time involved. In addition, operations performed manually are subject to a relatively greater frequency of processing errors in comparison to robot-performed processes.

[0004] Several prior art patents disclose processes for mounting a valve stem to a wheel with programmable machines. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,083 teaches a valve stem assembly line that includes an input conveyor to supply wheels, a locator station positioned at the end of the input conveyor to locate the valve stem aperture defined by the wheel, and a robotic manipulator to grasp the wheel in the locator station and to move the wheel to the mounting station where a valve stem is inserted. U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,552 teaches a spinning device to spin the wheel, an optical sensor to locate the valve stem aperture while the wheel is spinning, and press fitting device that can slide relative to a wheel and insert a valve stem after the valve stem aperture has been located. U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,960 teaches and automatic valve stemming apparatus including a spinning device to spin the wheel, an optical sensor to locate the valve stem aperture, and a valve stem insertion tool to insert a valve stem after the valve stem aperture has been located.

[0005] One of the areas of continuous development and research is the pursuit of flexible systems operable to receive and process several differently configured rims. Another area is the pursuit of less costly valve stem insertion devices. Costliness can be defined by the capital investment required for putting the valve stem insertion system on the factory floor as well as the operating cost associated with the system. In pursuit of these goals, it would be desirable to develop a valve stem insertion system having improved flexibility, cost and efficiency.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] The invention provides an apparatus and method for locating a valve stem aperture in a wheel and inserting the valve stem in the valve stem aperture. The valve stem and the valve stem aperture are moved relative to one another at a predetermined relative speed in a first rotational direction along a curved path of the wheel perimeter to align the valve stem with the valve stem aperture. The valve stem is supported with a pin and the pin is moved around the wheel with a robotic apparatus. A first sensor locates the valve stem aperture when the valve stem and the valve stem aperture are a first angular distance from one another along the curved path. In response to the first sensor locating the valve stem aperture, the relative speed of movement between the valve stem and the valve stem aperture is reduced. A second sensor locates the valve stem aperture when the valve stem and the valve stem aperture are a first angular distance from one another along the curved path.

[0007] One of the advantages of the present invention is that processing time for inserting the valve stem in the valve stem aperture is reduced. Specifically, the relative movement between the valve stem and the valve stem aperture can be maximized prior to the locating step and the first and second sensor can be spaced from one another to accommodate the braking capacity of the system. In other words, the invention substantially eliminates time delays associated with confirming the location of the valve stem aperture that are common in prior art locating systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0009]FIG. 1 is an overhead schematic view of a valve stem installation system according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a side view of an identification station for the valve stem installation system shown in FIG. 1 for identifying an individual wheel from a plurality of differently configured wheels;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a top view of a portion of the valve stem installation system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing pin stop assemblies positioned along a roller conveyor for preventing movement of a wheel along the roller conveyor;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the valve stem installation system shown in FIGS. 1-3 showing a positioning device for positioning a wheel and a locating and inserting assembly for inserting a valve stem in a valve stem aperture defined by a wheel;

[0013] FIGS. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the valve stem installation system shown in FIGS. 1-4 and offset ninety degrees from the view in

[0014]FIG. 4, showing the positioning device and the locating and inserting assembly;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a side view of the valve stem installation system shown in FIG. 1 with additional structural details; and

[0016]FIGS. 7-10 are perspective views illustrating a sequence of locating a valve stem aperture and inserting a valve stem in the valve stem aperture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention provides a method and apparatus 10 for inserting a valve stem in a valve stem aperture defined by a wheel. The apparatus 10 includes a conveyor 12 for moving wheels 14 past a robotic apparatus 16. Valve stems are inserted in the valve stem aperture defined by the wheel 14 by the robotic apparatus 16. Wheels 14 can be received at a beginning 18 of the conveyor 12 and move in a direction 20 to an end 22 of the conveyor 12.

[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, during movement of the wheel 14 between the beginning 18 and end 22 of the conveyor 12, the wheel 14 passes through an identification station 24. The identification station 24 can include a camera 26 for identifying the wheel 14 from a plurality of differently configured wheels. When a wheel 14 moves within the visual range of the camera 26, the camera 26 communicates an image of the wheel 14 to a controller 28. The image includes structural features of the wheel 14 including the position of the valve stem aperture. The controller 28 compares the image received from the camera 26 with a plurality of images stored in memory. The images in memory correspond to all of the differently configured wheels that can pass through the identification station 24. Each of the images stored in memory is associated with structural characteristics and physical dimensions of a corresponding wheel 14. The controller 28 controls processing steps performed downstream of the identification station 24 based, at least in part, on the physical dimensions of the wheel 14 identified from the image received from the camera 26.

[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the conveyor 12 includes clutch-assisted, driven rollers 30 to move the wheel 14 from the identification station 24 to a first position 32 along the conveyor 12. The wheel 14 can move along the conveyor 12 in the direction 20 until the wheel 14 engages a pair of pin stops 34, 36. The conveyor 12 includes undriven rollers 38 between the first position 32 and the pin stops 34, 36. The pin stops 34, 36 are actuated between an extended position above the conveyor 12 and a retracted position below the conveyor 12 to stop movement of the wheel 14 in the direction 20 along the conveyor 12. The pin stops 34, 36 are controlled in movement by the controller 28. Sensors (not shown) are positioned along the conveyor 12 to sense the position of the wheel 14 along the conveyor 12 and communicate the sensed position of the wheel 14 to the controller 28.

[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3-5, a positioning device 40 is disposed along the conveyor 12 adjacent the robotic apparatus 16. The positioning device 40 includes a first positioning mechanism 42 and a second positioning mechanism 44. The positioning mechanisms 42, 44 are substantially similar with respect to one another and are disposed along the conveyor 12 between the first position 32 and a second position 46. The first positioning mechanism 42 includes a housing 47. The housing 47 defines apertures 48, 50 and 52 for receiving guide tracks 54, 56 and 58, respectively as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. The guide tracks 54, 56 and 58 guide movement of the housing 48 along the conveyor 12. A metal piston (not shown) is disposed internally of the guide track 58 and cooperate magnetically with the housing 48. For example, the housing 48 houses a magnet to attract the metal piston in the guide track 58. The piston is moved by selectively directing pressurized air to opposite sides of the piston in the guide track 58. The housing 48 moves in response to movement of the piston. The second positioning mechanism 44 is structured similarly and function similarly as the first positioning mechanism 42. For example, the second positioning mechanism 44 includes a housing 60 defining apertures 62, 64, 66 for receiving guide tracks 68, 70, 72, respectively, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. A metal piston is disposed internally of the guide track 72 and cooperates with the housing 60 to move the housing 60 along the conveyor 12. Movement of the pistons inside the tracks 58, 72 are controlled by the controller 28.

[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, the first positioning mechanism 42 includes an engaging device 74 for engaging and moving the wheel 14 along the conveyor 12. The engaging device 74 is connected to the housing 47 and includes an arm 76 rotatable about an axis 78. An engaging portion 80 is disposed at the end of the arm 76 and is shaped to correspond to the shape of the wheel 14. During movement of the housing 47 along the conveyor 12 in the direction 20, the arm 76 is located in a first position shown in solid line in FIG. 4. After the housing 47 has moved a predetermined distance along the conveyor 12 in the direction 20, the arm 76 is moved to a second position shown in phantom in FIG. 4. The arm 76 is moved to the second position to prevent the engaging portion 80 from interfering with movement of a following wheel moving along the conveyor 12 and is therefore positioned below the conveyor 12. The positioning device 42 moves the wheel 14 along the conveyor 12 to a position along the conveyor 12 at which the second positioning mechanism 44 can engage the wheel 14. The second positioning mechanism 44 includes an engaging device 82 structured similarly and functioning similarly as the first engaging device 74. For example, the engaging device 82 includes an arm 84 rotatable about an axis 86 and an engaging portion 88 positioned at the end of the arm 84. The second positioning mechanism 44 moves the wheel 14 away from the robotic apparatus 16 after a valve stem has been inserted in the valve stem aperture defmed by the wheel, a process described in greater detail below. Once the second positioning mechanism 44 moves the wheel 14, the first positioning mechanism 42 moves a second wheel 14 along the conveyor 12 until the second wheel 14 engages a second pair of pin stops 90, 92.

[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6, after the wheel 14 is positioned adjacent the robotic apparatus 16 by the positioning device 40, the robotic apparatus 16 inserts a valve stem in the valve stem aperture defined by the wheel 14. The robotic apparatus 16 moves a locating and inserting assembly 90 around the wheel 14, shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 6. The assembly 90 receives valve stems from one or more valve stem feeding stations 92 disposed along the conveyor 12. Each station 92 includes a hopper 94 for receiving valve stems and a sorting device 96 for sorting the valve stems and arranging the valve stems in an orientation to be received by the assembly 90. The different valve stem feeding stations 92 sort different configurations of valve stems. A nut runner 98 is attached to the assembly 90 to insert nuts on valve stems that require nuts. The nut runner 98 receives nuts from a nut feeding station 100 through a conduit 102. The station 100 can be disposed along the conveyor 12.

[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the assembly 90 includes a locating device 104 and a stem inserting device 106. The locating device 104 includes a pair of light emitters, such as light emitter 108, and a pair of light receivers, such as light receiver 110. The inserting device 106 includes a valve stem holding pin 112, a support plate 114, and a moving device 116 for moving the holding pin 112 and the support plate 114 relative to one another.

[0024] The method for locating the valve stem aperture in the wheel is shown schematically in FIGS. 7-10. In FIG. 7, the embodiment of the assembly 90 a includes a pair of light emitters 108 a and 108 b, as well as a pair of light receivers 110 a and 110 b. The assembly also includes a support plate 114 a and a valve stem holding pin 112 a. The assembly 90 a is moved around the wheel 14 in the direction 122. The light emitters 108 a, 108 b are disposed on an opposite side of a lip 120 of the wheel 14 with respect to the light receivers 110 a, 110 b. The valve stem aperture 118 is defined in the lip 120. The assembly 90 a is moved in the direction 122 and the light receiver 110 a receives light from the light emitter 108 a through the valve stem aperture 118. The assembly 90 a moves in the direction 122 at a predetermined angular velocity and is slowed by the controller 28 in response to the communication between the light emitter 108 a and the light receiver 110 a through the valve stem aperture 118.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 8, the assembly 90 a is stopped after passing the valve stem aperture 118. Due to the delay between sensing the light by the first receiver 110 a, signaling the controller 28, the assembly 90 a typically passes the aperture 118 prior to stopping the robot 16. The assembly 90 a is moved in the direction 124 until the light receiver 110 b receives light from the light emitter 108 b through the valve stem aperture 118, shown in FIG. 9. In response to the communication between the light receiver 110 b and the light emitter 108 b through the valve stem aperture 118, the assembly 90 a is moved in the direction 122 until the valve stem holding pin 112 is aligned with the aperture 118 and the valve stem is then inserted, as shown in FIG. 10. The assembly 90 a moves much faster in the direction of arrow 122 than in the direction of arrow 124 because more distance is typically traveled to first locate the aperture 118. Once the aperture 118 is located, the assembly moves at a slower rate in the direction of arrow 124 to determine a more precise location of the aperture 118 prior to aligning the stem holding pin 112 a with the aperture 118.

[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the valve stem is inserted in the valve stem aperture 118 a defined in the lip 120 a of the wheel 14 by engaging the moving device to move the valve stem holding pin 112 relative to the support plate 114. The moving device 116 includes a plate 126 attached to the robotic apparatus 16. The moving device 116 also includes a cylinder 128 attached to the plate 126 and a rod 130 extendable and retractable with respect to the cylinder 128. The valve stem holding pin 112 is fixedly associated with the end of the rod 130 and the support plate 114 is rotatably associated with the cylinder 128. After the valve stem aperture 118 has been located the robotic apparatus moves the support plate 114 to engage the lip 120 a of the wheel 14. The rod 130 is retracted in the cylinder 128, moving the valve stem holding pin 112 through the aperture 118 a. The rod 130 is extended to remove the valve stem holding pin 112 from the aperture 118 a, leaving the valve stem in the valve stem aperture 118 a.

[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, after the valve stem has been inserted in the valve stem aperture 118 a, the second positioning mechanism 44 moves the wheel with the inserted valve stem along the conveyor 12 past the retracted pin stops 90-92. The wheel 14 now continues along the conveyor 12 for further processing operations.

[0028] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted to cover any combination in which the incentive novelty exercises its utility. In addition, the reference numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting. 

1-16 (Canceled)
 17. A method for assembling a valve stem to a wheel rim having an aperture formed therein comprising the steps of determining a location of the aperture relative to a gauging station; coaxially aligning a central axis of the aperture and a longitudinal axis of the valve stem with respect to one another prior to insertion of the valve stem through the aperture; and moving the valve stem relative to the rim along a programmable path of travel during the coaxially aligning step and along the aligned axes to insert the valve stem through the aperture, the path of travel defined with a programmable robotic manipulator having an arm capable of compound, multi-axial movement and having a plurality of programmed paths corresponding to a plurality of different size wheel rim and valve stem combinations to be assembled.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the determining step further comprises the step of: identifying at least one physical feature of the rim with a machine vision system.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the aligning step further comprises the step of: selectively moving the valve stem to the gauging station from one of a plurality of valve stem delivery stations in response to the determining step, each delivery station having a differently configured valve stem mounted thereon.
 20. The method of claim 17 wherein the determining step further comprises the step of: identifying the rim as one of a plurality of different types of rims in response to inspection with a machine vision system.
 21. The method of claim 17 wherein the determining step further comprises the steps of: positioning the rim on a rotatable table; directing an optical sensor at the rim; rotating the table and the rim; and stopping rotation of the table and rim when the optical sensor is directed at the aperture.
 22. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: tightening a nut over a threaded portion of the valve stem extending from the rim after the valve stem has been inserted with respect to the aperture.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the nut is tightened to the valve stem by a nut runner mounted on the robotic manipulator.
 24. The method of claim 22 wherein the nut is tightened to the valve stem by a nut runner mounted adjacent to the gauging station.
 25. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: conveying valve stems to the delivery station in a serial fashion with conveying means.
 26. The method of claim 17 wherein the moving step further comprises the steps of: holding the rim substantially stationary; and urging the valve stem toward the rim with the robotic manipulator.
 27. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: moving the rim and attached valve stem from a gauging station to a subsequent processing station such that the rim is oriented with the valve stem in a predetermined angular position relative to the subsequent processing station.
 28. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: grasping the valve stem with the robotic manipulator and moving along the path of travel in response to computer-controlled signals.
 29. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of: actuating the robotic manipulator to move the valve stem to the rim located at a delivery station.
 30. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: grasping the valve stem with the robotic manipulator computer-controlled and having a valve-stem-gripper-attachment articulatable and positionable to be in a predetermined orientation with respect to the aperture in the rim.
 31. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of: orienting the aperture of the wheel rim in a predetermined location with respect to the valve-stem-gripper-attachment as a result of articulation and positioning of the valve-stem-gripper-attachment by the robotic manipulator prior to the inserting step.
 32. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of: orienting the aperture of the wheel rim in a predetermined location with respect to gauging station as a result of rotational movement of the rim until the aperture is properly located with respect to the gauging station prior to the inserting step; and the inserting step performed with the valve-stem-gripper-attachment in a predetermined position with respect to the gauging station as a result of articulation and positioning of the valve-stem-gripper-attachment by the robotic manipulator prior to the inserting step.
 33. An apparatus for assembling a valve stem to a wheel rim having an aperture formed therein comprising: means for determining a location of the aperture relative to a gauging station; means for coaxially aligning the central axis of the aperture and a longitudinal axis of the valve stem with respect to one another prior to insertion of the valve stem through the aperture; and means for moving the valve stem relative to the rim along a programmable path of travel including alignment of the central axis of the aperture with the longitudinal axis of the valve stem and along the aligned axes to insert the valve stem through the aperture, the path of travel defined with a programmable robotic manipulator having arm capable of compound, multi-axial movement and having a plurality of programmed paths corresponding to a plurality of different size wheel rim and valve stem combinations to be assembled.
 34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the means for determining further comprises: a machine vision system to identify at least one physical feature of the rim.
 35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the aligning means further comprises: the robotic manipulator to selectively move the valve stem from one of a plurality of delivery stations having different valve stems mounted thereon in response to the identification by the machine vision system.
 36. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the means for determining further comprises: a machine vision system to identify the rim as being one of a plurality of different rims.
 37. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the means for tightening further comprises: a nut runner mounted on the robotic manipulator.
 38. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the means for tightening further comprises: a nut runner mounted adjacent to a gauging station where the valve stem is moved relative to the rim to insert the valve stem with respect to the aperture.
 39. The apparatus of claim 33 further comprising: means for supplying valve stems in a serial fashion to a delivery station where the valve stem is moved relative to the rim to insert the valve stem with respect to the aperture.
 40. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the means for moving further comprises: the robotic manipulator to urge the valve stem toward the rim.
 41. The apparatus of claim 33 further comprising: the robotic manipulator for moving the rim and attached valve stem from a gauging station where the valve stem is mounted with respect to the aperture to a processing station while maintaining the valve stem in a predetermined angular position relative to the processing station.
 42. The apparatus of claim 33 further comprising: means for grasping the valve stem with the robotic manipulator computer-controlled and having a valve-stem-gripper-attachment articulatable and positionable to be in a predetermined orientation with respect to the aperture in the rim.
 43. The method of claim 42 further comprising: means for orienting the aperture of the wheel rim in a predetermined location as a result of movement of the rim at the gauging station prior to the valve stem being inserted by the robotic manipulator.
 44. A method for assembling a valve stem to a wheel rim having an aperture formed therein comprising the steps of: determining the location of the valve stem aperture in the rim; and operably engaging the valve stem with a robotic manipulator; moving the valve stem relative to the rim along a programmable path of travel; coaxially aligning the valve stem and the aperture; and inserting at least a portion of the valve stem through the aperture in the rim, wherein the path of travel is defined with a programmable robotic manipulator having an arm capable of compound, multi-axial movement and having a plurality of programmed paths corresponding to a plurality of different size wheel rim and valve stem combinations to be assembled.
 45. The method according to 44 further comprising the steps of operably engaging the valve stem and moving the valve stem towards the rim.
 46. The method according to claim 44 further comprising the step of securing the valve stem to the rim by tightening a nut over a threaded portion of the valve stem extending from the rim.
 47. The method of claim 44 further comprising the step of: grasping the valve stem with the robotic manipulator computer-controlled and having a valve-stem-gripper-attachment articulatable and positionable to be in a predetermined orientation with respect to the aperture in the rim.
 48. The method of claim 47 further comprising the step of: orienting the aperture in the rim to a predetermined location during movement of the valve stem with the robotic manipulator as a result of articulation and positioning of the valve-stem-gripper-attachment.
 49. The method of claim 47 further comprising the step of: orienting the aperture in the rim to a predetermined location at a station prior to the inserting step.
 50. An apparatus for assembling a valve stem to a wheel rim having an aperture formed therein comprising: means for determining the location of the valve stem aperture in the rim; and means for operably engaging the valve stem; means for moving the valve stem relative to the rim along a programmable path of travel; and means for coaxially aligning the valve stem and the aperture to insert at least a portion of the valve stem through the aperture in the rim, wherein the path of travel is defined with a programmable robotic manipulator having an arm capable of compound, multi-axial movement and having a plurality of programmed paths corresponding to a plurality of different size wheel rim and valve stem combinations to be assembled.
 51. The apparatus of claim 50 further comprising: means for grasping the valve stem with the robotic manipulator computer-controlled and having a valve-stem-gripper-attachment articulatable and positionable to be in a predetermined orientation with respect to the aperture in the rim.
 52. The apparatus of claim 51 further comprising: means for orienting the aperture of the wheel rim in a predetermined location with respect to the valve-stem-gripper-attachment as a result of articulation and positioning of the valve-stem-gripper-attachment by the robotic manipulator prior to inserting the valve stem.
 53. The apparatus of claim 52 further comprising: means for orienting the aperture of the wheel rim in a predetermined location with respect to gauging station as a result of rotational movement of the rim until the aperture is located with respect to the gauging station prior to inserting the valve stem; and the grasping means including the valve-stem-gripper-attachment in a predetermined position with respect to the gauging station as a result of articulation and positioning of the valve-stem-gripper-attachment by the robotic manipulator prior to inserting the valve stem. 